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Community Leader, International Student Experience

Opportunity type: 
Paid
Rate of pay: 
$16 (Hourly)
Employment type: 
Part time
Position description: 

The Student Success Office is recruiting two to four senior undergraduate or graduate students to assist with the execution of programs that support international students in their transition to the University of Waterloo. This will include supporting the International Peer Community and other international student programming initiatives. 

Student staff must exhibit strong leadership skills and have experience leading others. They must have a desire and passion for helping first-year international students and English Language Learners, and must be aware of the needs of these students. They must be positive role models both personally and academically. Please reach out to ise@uwaterloo.ca with any questions or concerns.

International Peer Community responsibilities 

  • Student Volunteer management 
  • Recruit, provide support, guidance and leadership for student volunteers 
  • Ensure volunteers meet the needs of their group and the expectations of the program 
  • Mediating and/or reporting issues related to group dynamics 
  • Bi-weekly meetings with student volunteer pairs to track progress, address questions and concerns, and provide guidance 
  • Regular scheduled bi-weekly meetings with your supervisor 
  • Event planning and execution 
  • Plan and facilitate community-wide events in collaboration with other student staff 
  • Oversee and support larger events coordinated by student volunteers 
  • Determine and collect the resources needed for community wide events, including topics of discussion, platforms for interaction etc. 
  • Actively engage participants in online events 
  • Be prepared to deliver engaging live events while interacting with the online audience and answering student questions 
  • Administrative tasks 
  • Create social media content and provide social media monitoring (reply to direct messages, and comments) for the International Peer Community on various platforms
  • Coordinating the matching process between participants and volunteers
  • Attend all required commitments, including training sessions, team meetings, one-on-one meetings and midterm check-ins with the supervisor 

International student programming responsibilities 

  • Prepare and facilitate international student engagement activities  
  • Serve as a contact for student volunteers, including ensuring that execution of events runs smoothly and setbacks are handled efficiently and professionally 
  • Track and document registrations and assist with programming logistics 
  • Provide program documentation, including offering recommendations for delivery 

Training and professional development requirements

Prior to the start of your role, you will be required to complete two mandatory trainings: 

  • Community Leader Orientation 
  • Foundational Training Program (FTP) - The FTP will equip you with the essential tools to be an effective volunteer. You can find the different training sessions available online. FTP has two components: 
    • Four online, asynchronous modules (LEARN) 
    • One 90-minute, synchronous workshop (in-person or online) 

Note: If you have previously completed FTP for a different peer mentorship role on campus in the past 12 months, you are not required to complete it again. If you are unsure, send an email with your name and student number to ise@uwaterloo.ca and we will verify for you. 

Time commitment 

  • During the beginning and end of term, Community Leaders can expect to work up to 8 to10 hours per week. Throughout the rest of the term, successful candidates can expect to work between 2 to 6 hours per week

Qualifications 

  • Registered as a full or part-time student in good academic standing in the term at time of hire 
  • Experienced student leader with a strong knowledge of the University of Waterloo campus, faculties, services, and resources 
  • Knowledge of the first-year international student experience; awareness of the needs of first-year international students and English Language Learners 
  • Experience and strong comfort with being in front of the camera and hosting online events 
  • Strong organizational skills and capable of managing multiple demands with accuracy and attention to detail 
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and good judgment; ability to think on your feet and navigate difficult discussions/situations with diplomacy and tact 
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking, active listening, and presentation skills 
  • Ability to approach cross-cultural communication and inter-group dynamics of diverse individuals with sensitivity and respect 
  • Must have a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and excellent teamwork skills 
  • Experience using the Microsoft Office Suite is mandatory (specifically Microsoft Word, Teams, Excel and Power Point) 
  • Experience using SharePoint is an asset 
  • Prior experience in event management and execution is an asset 
  • Skill and ability to communicate in an additional language is an asset 
  • Experience participating in international or cross-cultural living and learning opportunities is an asset 
  • Mental health training (More Feet on the Ground, SafeTALK or mental health first aid equivalent) is an asset 
  • First aid certification is an asset 
  • Participation in prior SSO programming is an asset 
  • Prior volunteer experience in the International Peer Community is preferred 
Date posted/application open: 
Friday, October 28, 2022
Application deadline: 
Thursday, November 24, 2022 - 17:00
Posted by (department/office): 
Student Success Office
Number of positions: 
4